i84 BIRDS OF THE PUBLIC GARDEN 



day of their disappearance. Probably not 

 more than ten to twelve individuals in any 

 one season visit the Garden. Not more 

 than six birds have been noted on the same 

 day. Sometimes a Thrasher has given itself 

 over to song for a time in the early morn- 

 ing, perched high up in the top of a tree 

 among the slender branches, where its form 

 could be seen. 



In 1907, which was the year of greatest 

 abundance of the species, a tailless bird 

 appeared on May 15, when four or five 

 other Thrashers were present, and was seen 

 for seven successive days. It could take 

 short flights apparently as well as the other 

 Thrashers and did not remain beyond their 

 departure. The Thrashers conceal them- 

 selves very successfully in the thicker 

 shrubs or hawthorns and remain silent 

 most of the time, but they take advantage 

 of quiet conditions to drop to the ground 

 to feed. 



